Syria commission urges witnesses to file claims on crimes tied to ex-minister

The Syrian National Commission for Transitional Justice has called on victims and witnesses to come forward with information about serious crimes alleged to have been committed while Mohammad al‑Shaar held senior government and security positions, with emphasis on incidents predating 2011. Radif Mustafa, director of the commission's Accountability and Justice Department, said testimony and legal claims can be submitted directly to the commission or to provincial prosecution offices that specialise in transitional justice; Mustafa noted that al‑Shaar previously headed several security branches before becoming interior minister.

Legal process and mandate

Mustafa described victim participation as essential to building the evidentiary record, linking witness accounts to documented events and protecting victims’ rights in judicial proceedings, but stressed that allegations alone do not establish criminal responsibility. He said all claims and testimonies will be evaluated and verified through legal procedures and that competent courts will assess evidence and guarantee the rights of all parties. The commission — established by President Ahmad al‑Sharaa under Decree No. 20 on May 17, 2025 — is financially and administratively independent and operates across Syria to address the legacy of past violations, as reported by SANA